Emory Women's Basketball Falls Short To LaGrange In Season Opener

Box Score

The Emory women's basketball team opened its 2009-10 campaign Sunday afternoon by coming out on the short end of a home contest against LaGrange College.  LaGrange came away with a 66-53 triumph over the Eagles in the season opener for both squads.

Senior Keenan Whitesides paced the Emory scoring attack with 13 points, her second highest career total, and also grabbed six rebounds.  Classmate Whitney Martin totaled 12 points and tied for the team lead in rebounds with Elizabeth Brandt with seven boards.  Senior Mary Smith rounded out the club's double-digit scorers with 11 points.

Despite shooting just 24.3 percent from the floor in the first half, LaGrange held a 31-25 edge at halftime.  The Panthers took advantage of a cold-shooting stretch by Emory that saw it hit just two-of-12 shots and expanded a nine-point lead early in the second half into a 15-point cushion, 50-35 with 11:11 left in the game.  Emory then roared back with a 10-0 run, keyed by three-pointers by Whitesides and junior Courtney Von Stein, along with four points by Smith, to draw to within five points, 50-45, with 7:07 left.  The Eagles were still within striking distance, down by six points with 4:14 on the clock, but LaGrange held off the charge with an 8-0 spurt over the next 3:15 to take a commanding 64-50 advantage.

LaGrange sophomore Holli Vann and freshman Katie Covington tied for game honors with 14 points apiece with Vann also leading all players with eight boards.

Emory ended the game shooting 29.4 percent from the field (20-of-68) while LaGrange ended with a 28.8 percent (19-of-66).  The Panthers held a big advantage 55-42 edge on the boards with 22 of those coming on the offensive end.

Emory returns to action on Tuesday (Nov. 17) when it plays at crosstown foe Oglethorpe University in a 7:00 p.m. tip.